At The Spire School, we believe that preparing students for postsecondary success goes beyond academics. It’s about equipping them with the skills, inspiration, and confidence to pursue meaningful careers. Our Pathfinder Series Career Days are designed to do just that—connecting students with professionals from diverse fields to learn about real-world career paths, gain valuable advice, and explore their own aspirations.
Why Career Days Matter for our Students
For students, planning for the future can never start too early. Career Days provide an opportunity to bridge the gap between the classroom and the professional world in a supportive, accessible way.
By engaging with professionals, students:
Explore Diverse Career Options: Hearing directly from individuals in various industries helps students envision possibilities they may not have considered before.
Build Self-Confidence: Learning how others overcame challenges inspires students to take ownership of their own journeys.
Learn Resilience and Adaptability: Stories of overcoming setbacks teach valuable lessons about perseverance and growth.
Connect Learning to the Real World: Career Days emphasize the relevance of academic and personal growth, helping students see how their strengths align with future opportunities.
For Spire students, these experiences are not just about imagining careers—they’re about empowering them to take the first steps toward achieving their goals.
Highlights from Our Recent Pathfinder Series Career Days
The 2024-2025 school year has been off to an inspiring start with several career-based experiences as part of our Pathfinder Series. This initiative has brought together professionals from diverse backgrounds who have shared their journeys, challenges, and triumphs with our students.
September: Spotlight on Non-Profit Professionals We kicked off the series with two dynamic speakers who work in the non-profit sector:
Mr. Lou Orsone, Executive and Creative Director at Curtain Call Community Theater, shared his experiences balancing creativity and leadership. His story emphasized taking risks, pursuing passion, and rebounding from professional setbacks.
Ms. Dana Horowitz, Senior Development Director for United Jewish Federation NY, inspired students with her journey into fundraising and community impact. She highlighted the rewards of giving back and the courage needed to ask for support when pursuing meaningful projects.
Students gained insight into how personal and professional growth can go hand in hand, even when facing unexpected challenges.
October: Political Perspectives Our October event brought politics to life with local leaders from both sides of the aisle:
Ryan Fazio (Republican) and Hubert Delany (Democrat) engaged students in a thought-provoking discussion about their careers in public service. They shared how they built their platforms, navigated challenges, and worked to serve their communities.
This session encouraged students to think critically about leadership, communication, and advocacy—skills that are essential for success in any field.
November: STE(A)M Event on November 8th, we celebrated careers in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics with a school-wide STE(A)M Career Day. Students met with scientists and mathematicians who shared their love for innovation, discovery, and problem-solving. This year’s event featured a weather analyst, a business analyst, and a biomedical engineer, along with engineering graduate students from the University of Bridgeport. These guests brought real-world perspectives to the classroom, inspiring students with their expertise and showcasing the diverse opportunities within STE(A)M fields. The event showcased the vast opportunities within STE(A)M fields and underscored the importance of curiosity, collaboration, and creativity.
Looking Ahead
The Pathfinder Series continues to grow, reflecting our commitment to empowering students with experiences that inspire and prepare them for the future. Whether they aspire to work in non-profits, public service, STE(A)M, or other industries, these events spark meaningful conversations and help students envision their potential.
At Spire, we know that every student’s path is unique. By providing opportunities to connect with professionals, we help them see that success is possible, one step at a time.
Stay tuned for more updates from our Pathfinder Series as we continue to inspire tomorrow’s leaders!
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